Anoka County prosecutors have charged a Minneapolis man with felony domestic assault by strangulation after deputies say he violated a trespass order, entered a home in Oak Grove, and attacked a woman in her bedroom.
According to the criminal complaint, Keith Richard Peterson, 35, was arrested on October 6, 2025, after Anoka County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call on the 19500 block of Drake Street NW. Peterson, who has a prior domestic-related conviction, now faces one felony count of strangulation and two additional assault charges: a gross misdemeanor domestic assault–subsequent violation and a misdemeanor domestic assault.
Disturbance in Oak Grove
The complaint states that a homeowner was awakened by his daughter screaming, “you’re choking me.” He told deputies he found her crying inside her locked bedroom with Peterson present. Peterson was ordered to leave, and 911 was called.
Deputies later located Peterson sitting on rocks near the property with a bloody nose and scratches on his neck. He initially denied being on the property, then claimed he had been assaulted himself. Peterson admitted pulling on the woman’s sweatshirt but insisted he did not want to make a formal statement.
Victim’s Account
The woman told investigators that an argument escalated into violence. She reported that Peterson threw her on the bed, put both hands around her neck, and strangled her until she struggled to breathe. When she escaped briefly, he allegedly threw her to the ground, placed her in a headlock, and choked her again, squeezing for about twenty seconds until she began losing vision.
She told deputies Peterson repeated the chokehold a second time until she nearly lost consciousness. She said she was only able to break free after kicking him and screaming for help.
Prior Conviction and Trespass Order
Court records show Peterson has a previous domestic-related conviction for violating a domestic abuse no-contact order in 2016. The victim also confirmed Peterson was aware of a trespass order prohibiting him from being at the home.
Custody Status
Judge Jennifer Stanfield signed an order on October 7 directing Peterson be detained pending further proceedings. The felony strangulation charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor counts each carry additional potential jail time and fines.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based solely on the complaint filed in Anoka County District Court on October 7, 2025.